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Asian Americans. Stereotypes & Myths. They tend to retain their foreign ways so it is difficult for them to fit in ¼ to ½ Asian Americans born in this country They are unemotional & inscrutable Indirect communication, control emotions They are too passive & polite to be good managers
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Stereotypes & Myths • They tend to retain their foreign ways so it is difficult for them to fit in • ¼ to ½ Asian Americans born in this country • They are unemotional & inscrutable • Indirect communication, control emotions • They are too passive & polite to be good managers • Business & political leaders in Asiadispel this myth
Stereotypes & Myths • They have learned how to make it in American society by working hard & being thrifty • Family unit works longer, harder, for less pay • They can’t seem to master English grammar & pronunciation • They are good in technical occupations, but they don’t have leadership potential • They know about all things Asian
Past Connections • Chinese: Gold, Railroads and Exclusion • Japanese: Migration, Concentration Camps • Civil Rights Laws of the 1960’s • Generation Gaps • 1st Generation – isolated, retain old ways • 2nd Generation – more Americanized but are strongly affected by their Asian heritage • 3rd & 4th Generation – more American than Asian
Current Profile • More than half live in the West • 66% are foreign born • Most speak another language – 65% • Higher educational achievement • Pay doesn’t match educational & occupational levels • Self-employment is high • They hold more high-status jobs
Asian American Values • Putting group concerns before individual desires • Promoting group harmony • Emotional discipline, avoid conflict, modesty, self-effacement and conforming • Accepting status differences – Hierarchy • Show deference to persons of higher status • Respect for manager • Revering education, thrift, & hard work • Communicating vaguely, indirectly, and silently
Chinese American Workers • Largest of the Asian groups • Ethnic antagonism forced them to open small businesses • 1880 Chinese Exclusion Act • Prohibited further immigration of Chinese • Denied naturalized citizenship to Chinese immigrants already here • Two distinct socioeconomic classes • Tend to have much education or very little
Filipino American Workers • Most are hardworking, well educated, and foreign born • Their culture is a mix of subcultures • Malay, Spanish, & American influences • Place great emphasis on feelings & emotions than other Asians • Must adjust to punctuality in U.S. workplace
Southeast Asian American Workers • Vietnamese • 70% are refugees from Vietnam war • Many came from urban areas so adapted to U.S. culture more easily • Hmong • Semi-nomadic farmers • Strong family & clan system • No written language until 1960 • Cambodians • Nearly half the population fled the communists
Current profile • Large families – Hmong family 6.6 persons • Less educated – due to years of war, rural background • Language barriers • Low incomes
Japanese American Workers • Farm owners and tenant farmers • World War II all persons of Japanese ethnicity were interned in detention camps • They were deprived of their constitutional rights without a trial • Their property was confiscated and they lost wages for 3 years • They have the highest income of any Asian American group
Korean American Workers • Predominantly urban, educated, and from one generation • Kibun = inner feeling or mood • A good business person works to enhance the kibun of all parties • Nonpersons • To call someone by their first name is an insult • Flattery is a key aspect of doing business
Asian Indian Workers • First wave – Sikhs, farmers • Second wave - professionals • Highest educated • Concentrated in the professions-brain drain • Most speak English • Culture is the most distinct of Asian Americans because of Hindu religion
Pacific Islander Workers • Concentrated in California and Hawaii • Hawaii most multicultural of all states • Hawaiians decimated by disease • Plantations imported Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Filipino laborers • The culture has both Euro-American and Asian American themes
Barriers to Career Success • Provide support in overcoming barriers • Avoid typical assumptions & stereotypes • Determine generational status • Ascertain citizenship status • Question your assumptions about behaviors • Help people get to know Asian American co-workers
Leadership Opportunities • Build on typical Asian American characteristics • Recognize Asian American values as strengths • Apply leadership strategies • Make marketplace connections